A fresh lick of paint or brand new wallpaper can transform a room and to get the very best finish any existing wallpaper first needs to be removed.
It is possible to paint and wallpaper over existing wallpaper and lining paper but in most cases the finish won’t be as good as if you were working with a nice clean, flat and bare wall.
In this guide you will learn all about how to remove wallpaper and leave you with a perfectly flat and smooth wall that you can either paint or hang new wallpaper on.
A Note on Woodchip and Textured Wallpaper
Over the years there have been quite a few different types of textured wallpaper that have dropped in and out of fashion, but the most popular has always been woodchip wallpaper.
As you may guess from the name it features small chips of wood of varying but similar sizes in between 2 sheets of paper that produce a textured effect.
Other types of textured wallpaper include Anaglypta. This type of wallpaper has an embossed pattern set into it, creating a textured effect.
The reason we mention this is because textured papers, especially woodchip can be an absolute nightmare to get off the wall and generally require steaming off although even this isn’t easy. See our project here on removing woodchip wallpaper for more help.
Can I Hang New Wallpaper Over Old Wallpaper?
Yes you can hang new wallpaper over old wallpaper but it’s certainly not recommended as the final finish won’t be as good as if the paper had been applied directly to a bare wall.
Generally if you suspect any of the following are true, do not hang new wallpaper over old:
- Existing wallpaper is vinyl, washable or similar. Any wallpaper such as this will normally have a plastic film over its surface that will prevent any wallpaper adhesive bonding to it correctly
- There is any more than one existing layer of wallpaper currently on the wall
- The existing paper has started to peel away at the corners or edges or there are any rips or tears in any corners
- Your hanging vinyl, washable or similar wallpaper. As this paper usually features a plastic film over the surface that’s not breathable it can trap moisture from the paste behind it that can turn in to mould
- There are any bubbles or creases in the existing paper as these will show through on the new paper once it’s hung
Find out What Type of Wallpaper and Wall you Have
If you have washable, vinyl or similar wallpaper already on the wall then steam or moisture commonly used to strip off wallpaper won’t be able to penetrate the plastic top coating these papers feature. Likewise large amounts of moisture can damage plasterboard if the existing wallpaper has been papered straight on to it.
If your walls are plastered then soaking them will also cause damage as will too much steam when using a wallpaper steamer, so if you have to use one, don’t leave it sat in one place too long.
Finding out Type of Existing Wallpaper
To find out the type of existing wallpaper you have, use your nail or the back edge of a knife or similar to scratch the surface of the paper in a corner. If the paper scuffs up revealing the backing below it, it’s likely to be standard wallpaper, however if it starts to separate then it’s probably strippable, peelable or washable wallpaper.
Finding out the Type of Wall you Have
To find out what type of wall there is under your existing wallpaper, first give it a knock with a closed fist. If it’s solid then it’s almost certainly going to be a plastered brick or block wall.
If it sounds hollow it will almost certainly be a stud wall and will more than likely feature a plasterboard covering that’s plastered, however to make sure peel up the corner of the paper and peel any layers back to the walls surface.
If it’s a smooth solid surface then it’s most likely plaster, however if it looks papery or scuffs up when scratched it’s most likely just plasterboard.
In the US, painting and wallpapering straight on to plasterboard is much more common than in the UK, where in almost all situations plasterboard will be plastered before it’s painted or wallpapered.
Removing Strippable and Peelable Wallpaper
Many newer types of wallpaper are designed to be easily stripped from walls without the need of using chemical or steam-based strippers.
Removing Strippable Wallpaper
To remove strippable wallpaper follow these steps
- Step 1 – Peel and Edge: Use a stripping knife or sharp knife to pick up the corner or edge of the paper
- Step 2 – Peel off Paper: With one corner loosened do the same for the other and pull then both at the same time until they meet forming a straight line and then gently but firmly peel the paper upwards until you get to the top and it comes away. Try not to tear it but if it does, peel a corner back up and start again
- Step 3 – Remove Remaining Paper: Using the same technique as above, repeat this all around the room for any remaining wallpaper
- Step 4 – Clean Walls Down: Remove any existing wallpaper paste by washing the walls down using warm soapy water and then allow to dry
Removing Peelable Wallpaper
Peelable wallpaper is even easier to remove and can be done using the following steps:
- Step 1 – Remove Topcoat: Using a stripping knife or sharp knife, start at the corner or an edge seam and pick up the edge of the topcoat and peel it up and off. Repeat this all the way around the room
- Step 2 – Peel off Backing: Using a paper tiger, score the surface of the backing paper all over it. Using a wallpaper stripping solution, dilute it and pour it into a sprayer and then starting at the top of a strip squirt the solution over a small section of the paper and leave for a few minutes to soak in. Once soaked in use a stripping knife to peel it off the wall. Repeat for the remaining walls
- Step 3 – Wash Wall Down: Using some hot soapy water, wash the surface of the wall over to remove any remaining adhesive residue and then allow all to dry thoroughly
Methods for Stripping and Removing Wallpaper
There are 3 different methods for stripping or removing wallpaper from walls. You can use a specialist wallpaper stripping solution, hot soapy water or a wallpaper steam stripper for more stubborn wallpaper.
Wallpaper Stripping Solution
Wallpaper stripping solution is a special liquid that can be bought from most DIY stores. It will come either pre-mixed or will need diluting with clean water.
Once prepared (if needed) it’s then either painted or padded on the wallpaper using a sponge or better still sprayed on using a rose sprayer and left to soak in to the paper where it then dissolves the wallpaper adhesive allowing you to easily scrape it off the wall.
There are many different brands of wallpaper stripper available on the market today and as with all things some are better than others.
Hot Water
Hot water works in a similar way to chemical wallpaper strippers and the below wallpaper steamer in that the water is sponged or brushed on to the wall and as it soaks through the paper the heat starts to soften the adhesive and the moisture also helps loosen it from the wall.
Once the adhesive has been softened the paper can then easily be scraped off of the wall.
Using hot water can be very effective at removing wallpaper but it all depends on what type of adhesive has been used as some are much stronger than others.
Wallpaper Steam Stripper
The wallpaper steam stripper works just like a kettle in that it features a tank with a heating element that heats water until it boils and creates steam. The steam is then piped to a plate that is pushed up against the wallpaper.
The hot steam then softens the adhesive allowing you to easily scrape the paper off the wall.
Steam strippers work very well on most types of wallpaper and adhesive and are also very effective for multiple layers of paper and woodchip wallpaper.
The one downside that they have is that they can easily damage plaster and plasterboard if they are left in one spot for too long.
How to Know Which Wallpaper Stripping Method to Use?
To know which wallpaper stripping method to use you’ll have to test how well the paper is stuck to the wall so peel up a corner or an edge and try to pull it off or use a stripping knife to scrape it away. Depending how easy it comes off will depend what method you should use.
- Peels Easily: Use hot water or wallpaper stripping solution
- Doesn’t Peel Easily: Use a wallpaper steam stripper
Tools and Materials for Stripping Wallpaper
To successfully remove wallpaper from a wall you will need to use the following products and tools:
- Hot water, wallpaper stripping solution or wallpaper steam stripper
- Paint brush or spray bottle/rose sprayer
- Stripping knife (selection of different sizes may be useful)
- Wallpaper tiger or similar scoring tool
- Utility knife
- Steel ruler or steel straight edge
- Old clothes
- Suitable PPE gear – gloves, goggles etc.
- Plastic dust sheets
- Rags for wiping and cleaning up spillages
- Step ladder or hop up
- Sponge
- Bucket
- Washing up liquid
- Bin bags for old wallpaper
- Masking tape (for sticking plastic dust sheets in place)
Preparing for Stripping Wallpaper
Before stripping any wallpaper off of a given wall you will need to follow these steps to prepare the room first:
- Step 1 – Clear any non-fixed objects out of the room e.g. sofas, tables, chairs, beds etc.
- Step 2 – Clear any and all objects off of the walls e.g. pictures, picture hooks, air vents and the similar
- Step 3 – Turn off the power to sockets and lights. This is extremely important as each wallpaper stripping method requires water and water and electricity do not mix! Each circuit should be isolated at your consumer unit/fuse box. Tell everyone in the house so everyone knows or put a note on the consumer unit so no one accidentally turns the circuit back on again
- Step 4 – Loosen any socket and light switch face plates so that you can scrape any wallpaper away from behind them. Cover each with a small plastic bag and tape the end up tightly to prevent any water and moisture getting on to any electrical contacts
- Step 5 – Lay out your plastic dust sheets so they cover the floor area fully. Stripping wallpaper is a messy job and involves a fair bot of water so delicate flooring such as carpets and laminates need protecting. Tape any edges up securely to skirting boards
- Step 6 – Using a utility knife and steel ruler or straight edge, hold the straight edge over the joint where the top of the walls meet the ceiling and then use the utility knife to score along the joint. This will ensure when the paper is pulled off it doesn’t take and paper or paint on the ceiling with it
- Step 7 – Score the entire surface of the wallpaper using a wallpaper tiger or lightly using a utility knife. This will help the water, steam or stripping solution penetrate down to the adhesive. Whichever you use just ensure you don’t go too deep and damage the wall surface below the paper
Stripping Wallpaper Using Hot Water
This is the traditional way of removing wallpaper and also the cheapest, here’s how it’s done.
Step 1 – Fill a Bucket With Hot Water
Having prepared the room and scored the paper, fill a bucket with hot water. Now this is the bit where you will score points over your competitors. Add some washing up liquid to the water.
This is a pro trick which helps to dissolve the wallpaper adhesive and makes life a lot easier in most circumstances.
Once mixed, apply the water to the paper with a decorators sponge and leave to soak in for ½ and hour, then repeat the soaking.
Try and keep any water spillages as minimised as possible. Make sure the water is hot (do not scald yourself) every time as this will help soften the adhesive also. Be patient and let it soak in again for a while.
Work in a smallish area at a time, around 1/4 or 1/3 of the height of the wall on a single strip of wallpaper to ensure nothing dries out before it’s scraped off.
Keep yourself going by working over 2 areas at a time. While one area of paper is soaking, you can scrape away at an already prepared area.
Step 2 – Scrape Paper off With a Scraper
Using a suitable sized scraper, around 3 – 4 inches, start scraping the wallpaper off. As you scrape, hold the blade as flat as possible to the surface of the wall so that it doesn’t dig into the walls surface and damage it.
Using a backwards and forwards motion with the scraper, keep pressure on the edge of the paper, scraping it away from the walls surface.
Once removed, put wallpaper strips into a bin liner. Keep your work area as tidy as possible.
Repeat this process all the way around the room until all the paper has been stripped off.
Don’t be afraid to add more water as you move around the wall, but try not to soak any plaster or plasterboard too much.
Stripping Wallpaper Using Stripping Solution
This method uses a solution that helps to break down the adhesive, allowing you to easily scrape it off the wall.
Step 1 – Prepare Solution
Depending on the solution you have you may need to first dilute it with water before you can use it. If so follow the manufacturers guidelines on how much water you should use and mix the solution up in a bucket.
If the stripping solution you have is ready-to-use move on to the next step.
Step 2 – Apply Solution to Wall
Pour the solution into a rose sprayer (if not in one already) or use a sponge and squirt or sponge it onto the wallpaper and allow it to soak in according to manufacturers recommendations.
Some solutions are coloured so that you can see exactly what areas have been covered. Work in smallish areas at a time, around a 1/3 of the length of a strip.
Scrape Wallpaper off of Wall
Holding your scraper as flat to the wall as possible to prevent the blade digging in and causing damage, use a short stabbing motion with the blade against the edge of the wallpaper and scrape it off of the wall.
Repeat this process around the remaining walls until all the paper is off. As you strip the paper off the walls, bag it all up in bin bags. Try to keep your working area as clear as possible.
Stripping Wallpaper Using a Wallpaper Steam Stripper
For particularly stubborn papers, especially those with paint on, its a lot easier and far more effective to use a steam stripper. Steam strippers are so easy to use and very effective indeed. We always use one, whatever the paper or conditions.
Point to Consider When Using a Wallpaper Steam Stripper
As we’re dealing with boiling water, steam strippers are potentially very dangerous so you need to be aware of these points:
- Ensure the steamer tank is always sitting flat and level on a solid surface
- Always wear thick sturdy gloves to protect hands from hot steam
- Only ever move the steamer using the handle, don’t be tempted to drag it by the hose as you can kink and damage it or worse tip it over
- Before filling the tank up, turn it off and allow it to cool for a good few minutes
- Never ever walk off leaving the steamer turned on
- Never let the steamer boil dry. In extreme situations they can explode!
- Ensure you have a decent amount of ventilation to allow excess steam to escape
- Ensure the electricity is turned off for the room and any and all socket faceplates and light switches are covered with plastic and taped up
- Ensure teh pressure release valve
Step 1 – Prepare Steam Stripper
Fill the steam stripper tank with clean fresh water and then screw the cap firmly on.
Place the tank on a solid, flat and level surface. Ensure the hose is correctly attached and then plug the unit into the mains and turn it on.
It will take a few minutes to heat up to boiling but when it’s ready you will start to see steam coming out of the steam plate. You may also hear it bubbling in the same way a kettle does
Step 2 – Start Stripping Wallpaper
Generally, when using a steam stripper it’s best to start at the bottom of a strip of paper and work your way up the wall.
Hold the steam plate by the handle and then place it flat on the surface of the wallpaper, moving over a small area for around 10 – 15 seconds and then remove it. Using a 3 or 4 inch stripping knife, prise up the corner of the paper and start scraping it off the wall.
Use a short, sharp, stabbing motion with the stripping knife to scrape the paper away from the walls surface. Hold the stripping knife as flat to the walls surface as possible to prevent the blade digging in and causing damage.
As we have mentioned, be careful not to leave the steamer plate on the wall in one place too long as it can burst the plaster. Keep moving gently backwards and forwards rather than dwell in one place.
Once you have stripped one section, repeat the above for the remaining walls.
For any really stubborn sections of wallpaper, hold the steam plate over the area for a few seconds at a time until soft enough to scrape off, but without damaging any plaster or plasterboard.
Step 3 – Keep Everything Tidy
As you work, keep everything as tidy as possible. Place any stripped wallpaper in a bin bag regularly.
Sticky strips of wallpaper can get everywhere, sticking to everything and get sticky paste over your shoes, clothes, tools and eveything else, which can then easily be trekked through the rest of the house.
For full information on how to use a steam wallpaper stripper, see our project here.
Repair any Damage
When stripping wallpaper from large areas it’s inevitable that your scraper is going to catch the odd section and cause a little damage. Although frustraiting this is not the end of the world.
Simply use a good quality filler such as the one below to fill each area, allow it to fully cure and then use a 120 grit sand paper and a flat block to sand the area flat.
By repairing any such areas you will then pretty much guarantee a perfectly flat, level and smooth finish.
Cleaning the Wall After Wallpaper Stripping
Once the bulk of the wallpaper has been removed from the walls surface the final job is to clean them down ready for painting or applying new wallpaper.
Using a decent stiff brush, brush all walls over to remove any remaining small pieces of paper and for any tiny pieces still stuck to the wall, scrape them off using your stripping knife.
When the walls are all clear the final job is to wash them all down using hot and soapy water to remove any remaining adhesive residue.
Allow them to thoroughly dry out and check that any and all electrical sockets and light switches are totally dry before replacing screwing face plates back in place. Plenty of ventilation should ensure everything is dry within 24 hours.
Only when you are totally sure that all electrical points are dry can you then turn the power back on.
Stripping wallpaper is not a pleasant job and no one enjoys doing it, that’s a fact. However as long as you choose the correct method for stripping your wallpaper it’s a job that you can get through fairly quickly and efficiently.
If you are lucky enough to have a new wall to paper, take a look at our project on preparing new walls for wallpaper. We also have many other decorating projects in our decorating projects section.